From our friends Yushiin & Mina @yushiin_labo_ and the latest in their ‘Voice’ local support series profiling and championing local ventures and sustainable practices comes a feature on Melanie McCready, Owner of North Vancouver’s @bowenislandpizzaco.

Recently, the little pizza shop that could — which is marking its sixth year in business in its steps-from-the-SeaBus spot in @lonsdalequay — was named ‘Best Pizza’ by the @northshorenews in the 2021 edition of its annual Readers’ Choice Awards.

McCready has nothing but praise for the fans who keep flocking to the Bowen Island Pizza stall and urges everyone to chip in and keep shopping and supporting small and local whenever possible.

“I think it’s pretty clear right now, shop with small local businesses to keep them in our communities. I would encourage people to continue to think that way because while this pandemic will end at some point, the repercussions that will have on businesses will last for years,” she says. “I want the business landscape post-pandemic to have lots of small businesses. They employ so many people in the city and they create vibrant communities.”

Read the full Bowen Pizza story at the link in our IG bio or by checking out yushiin.com/voice/.

Stand tall. Stay strong. Show love. Support local.

BUCKLE UP, VANCOUVER FOOD LOVERS…

A new, truly immersive, culinary-meets-cultural experience unlike anything you’ve seen before is coming to @granville_island this June when @alimentariamexicana opens its doors.

The latest project by Ernesto Gomez and his team of creative collaborators behind the beloved @chanchotortilleria, @nubatown and former Fayuca, Alimentaria will showcase, support and celebrate farmers and suppliers from Canada and communities across Mexico.

Occupying the former location of Edible Canada, Alimentaria Mexicana will offer an expansive, multifaceted concept featuring a licensed dine-in cantina and patio, take-out window, tortilleria, and educational space as well as a retail shop with high-quality, locally and internationally sourced artisanal products and provisions — in essence, all the necessary elements for an authentic Mexican taste of place.

Check out @alimentariamexicana or visit alimentariamexicana.com for more details and the latest updates as the opening date approaches.

Stand tall. Stay strong. Show love. Support local.

The BC Government has announced it is doubling the amount that restaurants and foodservice operators will be eligible for under the Circuit Breaker Business Relief Grant program.

The individual amount a business received will be based on the number of employees.

1-4 Employees: was $2K, now $4K

5-99 Employees: was $5K, now $10K

100+ Employees: was $10K now $20K

Funds can be used to help with expenses like employee wages, rent, maintenance, and utilities.

If you have applied already, you don't need to apply again but your funding amount will increase. If you haven't applied, apply today via the link in our IG bio.

Stand tall. Stay strong. Show love. Support local.